International Nelson Mandela Day Celebration

On July 18, Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday, a coalition of Boston-based community organizations, elected officials, and activists will host a celebration of Mandela’s life at the Old South Church at 645 Boylston Street in Copley Square at 5:30 p.m. The celebration includes special guest speakers Governor Deval Patrick and a US South African Embassy representative among others, Mandela’s inspirational words read by local youth, and musical tributes. This event is free and open to the public.

Designated in 2009 by the United Nations, Nelson Mandela Day is an international day of service dedicated to continuing the South African leader’s legacy of working to improve the lives of others. Annually, on July 18, we are encouraged to join others around the world in donating 67 minutes to a favorite charity or local community – one-minute for each year of Nelson Mandela’s activism; starting as a political leader and human rights attorney, then a prisoner of conscience, and later an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

To find a list of suggested volunteer opportunities in Boston and surrounding areas, go to: www.sapartners.org/volunteer.

The July 18 event draws upon a rich history of local support for a democratic South Africa dating back to the 1960’s and a continued engagement with the new South Africa through organizations such as South Africa Partners.

The organizers of July 18, 2013 are working to institute Nelson Mandela Day as an annual celebration in Boston and across Massachusetts.

More information about International Mandela Day can be found at: www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/

To learn more about the July 18 Celebration in Boston, call (617) 443-1072 or visit: www.sapartners.org

Partner Organizations: Boston Pan African Forum • Cathedral of St. Paul • Old South Church • South Africa Partners